This month social prescribing recipients, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and health leaders from North and South came together in Dundalk for the two-day All-Ireland Social Prescribing Conference, hosted by the All-Ireland Social Prescribing Network (AISPN).
The conference was officially opened by Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, the conference also heard from Anne O’Connor, CEO of the HSE, alongside Mike Farrar, Interim Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, whose attendance highlighted strong political and health system support for social prescribing across North and South. Over the past decade, social prescribing has grown from a small number of local initiatives to a nationally funded service by the HSE operating across 57 Community Healthcare Networks.
International speakers included Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive Officer of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, who shared insights on Social Return on Investment in Social Prescribing, and Dr Daniel Hayes, Senior Research Fellow at University College London, who spoke on youth social prescribing.
Marianna Quinn, a recipient of social prescribing from South Armagh, spoke powerfully about her own experience. “Social prescribing has completely changed my life. Before, I felt very alone and didn’t know where to turn. Being linked in through social prescribing helped me find local groups, build my confidence and feel part of my community again.” Her story reflected the experience of many people across the island, where social prescribing has supported physical, mental and social wellbeing by connecting people with community-based activities and supports.
The conference also highlighted the growing evidence base for social prescribing in Ireland, including the HSE-funded realist evaluation undertaken by the University of Galway. AISPN has played an important all-island role in linking policy, practice and research, while HSE-funded social prescribing services continue to promote and support mental health and wellbeing across the population.
HSE-funded Realist evaluation summary report